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Teams from Whangārei Girls' High School and Te Kura Taumata o Panguru, and a 'sole trader' from Kerikeri High School, booked their tickets at the regional awards, presented at Waitangi last week.

The big winner was Eco Wave, a team of four Whangārei Girls' High School students, which was named Top Energy YES Northland Company of the Year. Second was Kerikeri High School's Alex Edwards (AE Productions), and third Kerikeri High School's Tree to Be.

Earlier in the day Eco Wave won a keenly contested Taniwha Tank (the Northland version of Dragon's Den) final at Waitangi Museum.

The students' success was built on an innovative response to the very topical issue of single-use plastic bags, with a company that designed and produces a key chain holder that contains a reusable shopping bag.

Meanwhile Hokianga Sustainable Fertiliser, a team of six students from Te Kura Taumata o Panguru, participating in YES under the Papa Taiao banner, and Kerikeri High School's Alex Edwards' AE Productions, were announced as winners of YES National Excellence Awards.

They will not know precisely which awards that they have won until next month's dinner in Wellington.

Full list of regional winners:

Excellence in business management:

Aqua Woods (Kerikeri High School) and Eco Wave.

Excellence in communication: Tree to Be.

Excellence in technology: Tasty Tio — Papa Taiao (Kaitaia College, Kaitaia Abundant Life School and Te Rangi Aniwaniwa).

Excellence in financial management: AE Productions and Aqua Woods.

Commitment award: Whakaahua for Change (Taipa Area School).

Excellence in sustainability: Hokianga Sustainable Fertiliser.

Best Māori business: Hou2-2 (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarere).

Enterprise Champion: Tuuriri Brown (Hou2-2).

Managing director: Ashley MacDonald (Aqua Woods).

Innovation and growth potential: AE Productions, Kakariki Pure (Springbank School) and Hokianga Sustainable Fertiliser.